Discussion document on the review of notifiable diseases and conditions in New Zealand

New Zealand's disease surveillance system includes the legal requirement for some diseases and conditions to be notified to public health authorities. The information collected is used for disease control, for surveillance of disease trends, and for planning and developing services to improve public health status in the longer term.

Allen & Clarke has assisted the Ministry of Health to undertake a review of the lists of diseases and conditions and the notification system to:

• update the list of notifiable diseases and conditions in the Health Act 1956 to ensure that it reflects current public health issues in New Zealand
• ensure that the notification system enables the collection of information that is accurate, timely, relevant, and accessible to all end users.

A discussion document for public consultation was prepared and consultation completed in 2003. A final report has been submitted to the Ministry of Health, and is being used in consideration of any changes to the schedules of notifiable diseases and conditions.

Discussion document on the review of notifiable diseases and conditions in New Zealand